Obie Walker | |
---|---|
Born | Obie Dia Walker September 19, 1911 |
Died | May 23, 1989 77) | (aged
Nationality | American |
Other names | Bearcat Obie |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 124; [1] with the inclusion of newspaper decisions |
Wins | 93 |
Wins by KO | 62 |
Losses | 20 |
Draws | 8 |
No contests | 1 |
Obie Walker (September 19, 1911 - May 23, 1989), born Obie Dia Walker in Cochran, Georgia, was a professional boxer. Walker was the penultimate World Colored Heavyweight Champion from 9 October 1933, when he out-decisioned title holder George Godfrey in a 10-round fight at the Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to 20 July 1935, when he lost the title on a decision in a 15-round bout to former colored heavyweight champ Larry Gains on 20 July 1935 in Tigers Rugby Stadium, Leicester, England.
A heavyweight contender of the 1930s, he was avoided by many boxers. Sportswriter Ed Danforth praised the "Bearcat" in the Atlanta Georgian in a column published on 5 July 1938:
"Walker became the toast of Paris. He knocked cold every topnotcher he met on the continent. Max Schmeling shrewdly dodged him, the best of the Englishmen too, sidestepped the squatty brown man who carried lighting bolts in both fists. Competent critics say he could have knocked out Schmeling, Joe Louis and Jim Braddock in one night within the space of 10 rounds." [2]
Though short, Walker was quick on his feet, could take a punch on the chin, and was a strong puncher. Among the top heavyweight contenders he defeated was Two-Ton Tony Galento, who fought Joe Louis for the heavyweight championship. It was Louis's long reign as champ that ended the World Colored Heavyweight Title.
In his career, Walker won 77 fights (53 by K.O.) and lost 16, with 5 draws. He was never K.O.'ed himself. [3]
In 2020 award-winning author Mark Allen Baker published the first comprehensive account of The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876–1937, with McFarland & Company, a leading independent publisher of academic & nonfiction books. This history traces the advent and demise of the Championship, the stories of the talented professional athletes who won it, and the demarcation of the color line both in and out of the ring.
For decades the World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a useful tool to combat racial oppression—the existence of the title a leverage mechanism, or tool, used as a technique to counter a social element, "drawing the color line."
All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, [4] unless otherwise stated.
124 fights | 92 wins | 18 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 62 | 0 |
By decision | 30 | 17 |
By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
Draws | 7 | |
No contests | 3 | |
Newspaper decisions/draws | 4 |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
124 | Loss | 92–18–7 (7) | Elza Thompson | PTS | 10 | Mar 19, 1946 | Dorsey Park, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
123 | Loss | 92–17–7 (7) | Elmer Ray | UD | 10 | Jun 24, 1941 | City Auditorium, Galveston, Texas, U.S. | |
122 | Win | 92–16–7 (7) | Frank Lumpkin | SD | 10 | May 1, 1940 | Memorial Stadium, Columbus, Georgia, U.S. | |
121 | Loss | 91–16–7 (7) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Apr 1, 1940 | Tinker Field, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
120 | Loss | 91–15–7 (7) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 12 | Mar 7, 1940 | Dorsey Park, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
119 | Loss | 91–14–7 (7) | Henry Taylor | UD | 10 | Feb 1, 1940 | Dorsey Park, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
118 | Loss | 91–13–7 (7) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Dec 4, 1939 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
117 | Win | 91–12–7 (7) | Jimmy Harvey | KO | 2 (8) | Nov 7, 1939 | Textile Hall, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. | |
116 | Win | 90–12–7 (7) | Leroy Haynes | UD | 10 | Jun 19, 1939 | Ponce de Leon Ballpark, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
115 | Loss | 89–12–7 (7) | Elmer Ray | NWS | 10 | Apr 13, 1939 | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
114 | Win | 89–12–7 (6) | Leroy Haynes | PTS | 15 | Mar 16, 1939 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
113 | Win | 88–12–7 (6) | Leroy Haynes | SD | 10 | Mar 2, 1939 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
112 | Loss | 87–12–7 (6) | Elmer Ray | NWS | 10 | Feb 23, 1939 | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
111 | Win | 87–12–7 (5) | Tiger Jack Wright | KO | 12 (15), (2:25) | Nov 30, 1938 | City Auditorium, Galveston, Texas, U.S. | Billed for the Texas state colored heavyweight title |
110 | Win | 86–12–7 (5) | Jack Thompson | KO | 3 (8) | Nov 16, 1938 | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
109 | Win | 85–12–7 (5) | Charlie Harvey | KO | 2 (8) | Oct 27, 1938 | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
108 | Win | 84–12–7 (5) | Elmer Ray | TKO | 6 (10) | Oct 3, 1938 | Warren Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
107 | Win | 83–12–7 (5) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Sep 15, 1938 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
106 | Win | 82–12–7 (5) | Jack Ward | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 29, 1938 | Warren Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
105 | Win | 81–12–7 (5) | Oscar Jenkins | KO | 10 (10) | Jul 13, 1938 | Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S. | Jenkins died of injuries sustained from the fight. [5] |
104 | Loss | 80–12–7 (5) | Jim Howell | PTS | 10 | Jun 30, 1938 | Center Brick Warehouse, Darlington, South Carolina, U.S. | |
103 | Win | 80–11–7 (5) | Otto McCall | PTS | 10 | Jun 10, 1938 | Center Brick Warehouse, Darlington, South Carolina, U.S. | |
102 | Win | 79–11–7 (5) | Edward Winston Jr. | KO | 5 (10) | May 19, 1938 | Ponce de Leon Ballpark, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
101 | Loss | 78–11–7 (5) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Apr 27, 1938 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
100 | Win | 78–10–7 (5) | Charley Douglas | TKO | 4 (10) | Apr 6, 1938 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
99 | Win | 77–10–7 (5) | Edward Winston Jr. | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 30, 1938 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
98 | Draw | 76–10–7 (5) | Edward Winston Jr. | PTS | 10 | Mar 23, 1938 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
97 | Loss | 76–10–6 (5) | Jim Howell | PTS | 10 | Mar 1, 1938 | Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
96 | Loss | 76–9–6 (5) | Jack Trammell | PTS | 10 | Jan 18, 1938 | Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
95 | Win | 76–8–6 (5) | Al Caldwell | KO | 3 (10) | Dec 2, 1937 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
94 | Win | 75–8–6 (5) | Al Hart | KO | 2 (10) | Nov 18, 1937 | Spring Street Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
93 | Win | 74–8–6 (5) | Simpson Tolliver | KO | 4 (10) | Oct 11, 1937 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
92 | Win | 73–8–6 (5) | Otto McCall | RTD | 4 (10) | Sep 16, 1937 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
91 | Win | 72–8–6 (5) | Jack Rose | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 31, 1937 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
90 | Win | 71–8–6 (5) | Jesse Caldwell | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 24, 1937 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
89 | Win | 70–8–6 (5) | Jesse Caldwell | KO | 3 (10) | Jul 26, 1937 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
88 | NC | 69–8–6 (5) | Elmer Ray | NC | 6 (10) | Apr 20, 1937 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | Bout called off after Ray refused to continue from an accidental low blow |
87 | Win | 69–8–6 (4) | Elmer Ray | TKO | 6 (10) | Mar 25, 1937 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
86 | Draw | 68–8–6 (4) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1937 | Johnson Street Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
85 | Win | 68–8–5 (4) | Shorty Ahearn | PTS | 10 | Mar 15, 1937 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
84 | Win | 67–8–5 (4) | Jesse Caldwell | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 2, 1937 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
83 | Win | 66–8–5 (4) | Black Eagle | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 23, 1937 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
82 | Win | 65–8–5 (4) | Speedy Jackson | KO | 3 (10) | Feb 1, 1937 | Johnson Street Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
81 | Win | 64–8–5 (4) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Jan 26, 1937 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
80 | Draw | 63–8–5 (4) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Jan 19, 1937 | Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
79 | Loss | 63–8–4 (4) | Willie Reddish | PTS | 4 | Sep 22, 1936 | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
78 | Loss | 63–7–4 (4) | Jack London | PTS | 10 | Jun 15, 1936 | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, England | |
77 | Win | 63–6–4 (4) | Maurice Strickland | PTS | 10 | Feb 9, 1936 | The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, England | |
76 | Win | 62–6–4 (4) | Norman Baines | PTS | 12 | Jan 27, 1936 | Colston Hall, Bristol, England | |
75 | Win | 61–6–4 (4) | Don McCorkindale | PTS | 10 | Nov 11, 1935 | The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, England | |
74 | Win | 60–6–4 (4) | Gustave Limousin | KO | 5 (10) | Oct 5, 1935 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
73 | Loss | 59–6–4 (4) | Larry Gains | PTS | 15 | Jul 20, 1935 | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, England | Lost world colored heavyweight title |
72 | Win | 59–5–4 (4) | George Cook | PTS | 10 | May 8, 1935 | White City, England | |
71 | Win | 58–5–4 (4) | Rodolfo Valenti | TKO | 5 (8) | Mar 26, 1935 | Velodrome d'Hiver, Paris, France | |
70 | Win | 57–5–4 (4) | Albert Di Meglio | KO | 8 (10) | Mar 15, 1935 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
69 | Win | 56–5–4 (4) | Arthur Meurant | TKO | 1 (10), (0:45) | Feb 15, 1935 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
68 | Win | 55–5–4 (4) | Otto von Porat | UD | 10 | Nov 17, 1934 | Palais des Expositions, Geneva, Switzerland | |
67 | Loss | 54–5–4 (4) | Gustave Limousin | PTS | 8 | Oct 29, 1934 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
66 | Win | 54–4–4 (4) | Hans Schönrath | RTD | 5 (8) | Sep 13, 1934 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
65 | Win | 53–4–4 (4) | Emil Scholz | TKO | 1 (8) | Sep 3, 1934 | Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France | |
64 | Win | 52–4–4 (4) | Giuseppe Sanga | KO | 1 (8) | Jul 25, 1934 | Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France | |
63 | Win | 51–4–4 (4) | Italo Colonello | TKO | 2 (8) | Jul 11, 1934 | Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France | |
62 | Win | 50–4–4 (4) | Saverio Grizzo | TKO | 2 (10) | Jun 2, 1934 | Pavillon des Sports, Montreux, Switzerland | |
61 | Win | 49–4–4 (4) | Saverio Grizzo | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 7, 1934 | Palais des Expositions, Geneva, Switzerland | |
60 | Win | 48–4–4 (4) | Maurice Griselle | RTD | 7 (10) | Mar 2, 1934 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
59 | Win | 47–4–4 (4) | Casimir Beszterda | KO | 2 (10) | Feb 19, 1934 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
58 | Win | 46–4–4 (4) | Louis Verbeeren | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 2, 1934 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
57 | Loss | 45–4–4 (4) | Don "Red" Barry | PTS | 10 | Nov 27, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Not to be confused with Don "Red" Barry |
56 | Win | 45–3–4 (4) | George Godfrey | PTS | 10 | Oct 9, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Won world colored heavyweight title |
55 | Win | 44–3–4 (4) | Salvatore Ruggirello | TKO | 3 (6) | Sep 27, 1933 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
54 | Win | 43–3–4 (4) | Humberto Arce | PTS | 6 | Sep 4, 1933 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
53 | Win | 42–3–4 (4) | Sailor Jack Vernon | KO | 1 (8) | Aug 22, 1933 | Shellpot Park, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. | |
52 | NC | 41–3–4 (4) | Humberto Arce | NC | 9 (10) | Aug 17, 1933 | Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | Fight stopped for "stalling" |
51 | Win | 41–3–4 (3) | Mickey Taylor | TKO | 2 (10) | Jul 20, 1933 | Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | |
50 | Win | 40–3–4 (3) | Leonard Dixon | TKO | 2 (6) | Jun 29, 1933 | Leiperville Arena, Leiperville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
49 | Win | 39–3–4 (3) | Tony Galento | PTS | 10 | Apr 17, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
48 | Win | 38–3–4 (3) | Meyer K.O. Christner | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 13, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
47 | Win | 37–3–4 (3) | Joe Doctor | KO | 2 (8) | Feb 13, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
46 | Win | 36–3–4 (3) | Larry Crabtree | TKO | 3 (6) | Jan 30, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
45 | Win | 35–3–4 (3) | Humberto Arce | PTS | 8 | Dec 12, 1932 | Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
44 | Win | 34–3–4 (3) | Frankie Simms | TKO | 6 (6) | Nov 4, 1932 | Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
43 | Win | 33–3–4 (3) | Red Tom | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 22, 1932 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
42 | Win | 32–3–4 (3) | Willie Bush | PTS | 12 | Jul 25, 1932 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
41 | Win | 31–3–4 (3) | Ed "Bearcat" Wright | PTS | 10 | Apr 15, 1932 | Legion Arena, Lake Worth, Florida, U.S. | |
40 | Win | 30–3–4 (3) | Tiger Henderson | KO | 5 (10) | Apr 12, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
39 | Draw | 29–3–4 (3) | Ed "Bearcat" Wright | PTS | 10 | Apr 5, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
38 | Win | 29–3–3 (3) | Ed "Bearcat" Wright | PTS | 10 | Mar 22, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
37 | Win | 28–3–3 (3) | Willie Bush | KO | 7 (10) | Mar 15, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
36 | Draw | 27–3–3 (3) | Willie Bush | PTS | 10 | Mar 2, 1932 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
35 | Win | 27–3–2 (3) | Tiger Henderson | KO | 8 (10) | Feb 26, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
34 | Win | 26–3–2 (3) | Big Boy Burlap | TKO | 6 (10) | Feb 17, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
33 | Win | 25–3–2 (3) | Big Boy Burlap | PTS | 8 | Jan 15, 1932 | Thames Arena, New London, Connecticut, U.S. | |
32 | Win | 24–3–2 (3) | Eddie Cox | KO | 1 (4), 2:17 | Dec 21, 1931 | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
31 | Win | 23–3–2 (3) | Ted Coolidge | TKO | 4 (8) | Nov 20, 1931 | Thames Arena, New London, Connecticut, U.S. | |
30 | Win | 22–3–2 (3) | K.O. Brown | KO | ? (10) | Sep 14, 1931 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
29 | Win | 21–3–2 (3) | Seldom Heard | KO | 3 (10) | Aug 31, 1931 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
28 | NC | 20–3–2 (3) | Willie McGee | NC | 7 (10) | Aug 12, 1931 | Benjamin Field Arena, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
27 | Win | 20–3–2 (2) | Roy Clark | PTS | 10 | Jul 27, 1931 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
26 | Win | 19–3–2 (2) | George Cheatham | KO | 1 (10) | Jul 20, 1931 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
25 | Draw | 18–3–2 (2) | Willie Bush | PTS | 10 | Jun 22, 1931 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
24 | Win | 18–3–1 (2) | Willie Bush | PTS | 10 | May 20, 1931 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
23 | Loss | 17–3–1 (2) | Willie Bush | PTS | 10 | Apr 30, 1931 | Dixie Theatre, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
22 | Win | 17–2–1 (2) | Al Walker | PTS | 10 | Apr 24, 1931 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
21 | Win | 16–2–1 (2) | Al Walker | TKO | 7 (10) | Apr 9, 1931 | Tinker Field, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
20 | Win | 15–2–1 (2) | Seldom Heard | KO | ? | Mar 26, 1931 | West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | Exact date unknown in March |
19 | Draw | 14–2–1 (2) | Seldom Heard | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1931 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
18 | Win | 14–2 (2) | Al Walker | PTS | 10 | Mar 11, 1931 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
17 | Win | 13–2 (2) | Bob Lawson | PTS | 10 | Mar 6, 1931 | Legion Arena, Lake Worth, Florida, U.S. | |
16 | Win | 12–2 (2) | Willie McGee | PTS | 10 | Feb 23, 1931 | Punch Bowl, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
15 | Loss | 11–2 (2) | Willie Bush | DQ | 2 (10) | Feb 5, 1931 | Dixie Theatre, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | Walker DQ'd for hitting Bush after a knockdown |
14 | Win | 11–1 (2) | Bob Lawson | PTS | 10 | Jan 28, 1931 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
13 | Draw | 10–1 (2) | Bob Lawson | NWS | 10 | Dec 31, 1930 | Troy, Alabama, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 10–1 (1) | Willie McGee | KO | 7 (10) | Dec 17, 1930 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 9–1 (1) | Bob Lawson | NWS | 10 | Dec 8, 1930 | City Auditorium, Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 9–1 | Edward Winston Jr. | KO | 4 (10) | Nov 5, 1930 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
9 | Win | 8–1 | Speedy Freeman | RTD | 3 (6) | Jun 17, 1930 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 7–1 | Charlie King | KO | 6 (6) | May 23, 1930 | 81 Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
7 | Loss | 6–1 | Happy Hunter | PTS | 10 | Feb 3, 1930 | Atlanta Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Speedy Freeman | TKO | 2 (6) | Dec 27, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Battling Bell | KO | 3 (?) | Jul 1, 1929 | Roby's Gymnasium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Sam Jones | TKO | 1 (4) | Jun 7, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Battling Cornell | PTS | 4 | Apr 2, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Battling Cornell | TKO | 5 (6) | Mar 26, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Battling Cornell | PTS | 4 | Feb 15, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
124 fights | 93 wins | 20 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 62 | 0 |
By decision | 31 | 19 |
By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
Draws | 8 | |
No contests | 3 |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
124 | Loss | 93–20–8 (3) | Elza Thompson | PTS | 10 | Mar 19, 1946 | Dorsey Park, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
123 | Loss | 93–19–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | UD | 10 | Jun 24, 1941 | City Auditorium, Galveston, Texas, U.S. | |
122 | Win | 93–18–8 (3) | Frank Lumpkin | SD | 10 | May 1, 1940 | Memorial Stadium, Columbus, Georgia, U.S. | |
121 | Loss | 92–18–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Apr 1, 1940 | Tinker Field, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
120 | Loss | 92–17–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 12 | Mar 7, 1940 | Dorsey Park, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
119 | Loss | 92–16–8 (3) | Henry Taylor | UD | 10 | Feb 1, 1940 | Dorsey Park, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
118 | Loss | 92–15–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Dec 4, 1939 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
117 | Win | 92–14–8 (3) | Jimmy Harvey | KO | 2 (8) | Nov 7, 1939 | Textile Hall, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. | |
116 | Win | 91–14–8 (3) | Leroy Haynes | UD | 10 | Jun 19, 1939 | Ponce de Leon Ballpark, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
115 | Loss | 90–14–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | NWS | 10 | Apr 13, 1939 | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
114 | Win | 90–13–8 (3) | Leroy Haynes | PTS | 15 | Mar 16, 1939 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
113 | Win | 89–13–8 (3) | Leroy Haynes | SD | 10 | Mar 2, 1939 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
112 | Loss | 88–13–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | NWS | 10 | Feb 23, 1939 | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
111 | Win | 88–12–8 (3) | Tiger Jack Wright | KO | 12 (15), (2:25) | Nov 30, 1938 | City Auditorium, Galveston, Texas, U.S. | Billed for the Texas state colored heavyweight title |
110 | Win | 87–12–8 (3) | Jack Thompson | KO | 3 (8) | Nov 16, 1938 | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
109 | Win | 86–12–8 (3) | Charlie Harvey | KO | 2 (8) | Oct 27, 1938 | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
108 | Win | 85–12–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | TKO | 6 (10) | Oct 3, 1938 | Warren Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
107 | Win | 84–12–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Sep 15, 1938 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
106 | Win | 83–12–8 (3) | Jack Ward | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 29, 1938 | Warren Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
105 | Win | 82–12–8 (3) | Oscar Jenkins | KO | 10 (10) | Jul 13, 1938 | Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S. | Jenkins died of injuries sustained from the fight. [6] |
104 | Loss | 81–12–8 (3) | Jim Howell | PTS | 10 | Jun 30, 1938 | Center Brick Warehouse, Darlington, South Carolina, U.S. | |
103 | Win | 81–11–8 (3) | Otto McCall | PTS | 10 | Jun 10, 1938 | Center Brick Warehouse, Darlington, South Carolina, U.S. | |
102 | Win | 80–11–8 (3) | Edward Winston Jr. | KO | 5 (10) | May 19, 1938 | Ponce de Leon Ballpark, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
101 | Loss | 79–11–8 (3) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Apr 27, 1938 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
100 | Win | 79–10–8 (3) | Charley Douglas | TKO | 4 (10) | Apr 6, 1938 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
99 | Win | 78–10–8 (3) | Edward Winston Jr. | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 30, 1938 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
98 | Draw | 77–10–8 (3) | Edward Winston Jr. | PTS | 10 | Mar 23, 1938 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
97 | Loss | 77–10–7 (3) | Jim Howell | PTS | 10 | Mar 1, 1938 | Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
96 | Loss | 77–9–7 (3) | Jack Trammell | PTS | 10 | Jan 18, 1938 | Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
95 | Win | 77–8–7 (3) | Al Caldwell | KO | 3 (10) | Dec 2, 1937 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
94 | Win | 76–8–7 (3) | Al Hart | KO | 2 (10) | Nov 18, 1937 | Spring Street Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
93 | Win | 75–8–7 (3) | Simpson Tolliver | KO | 4 (10) | Oct 11, 1937 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
92 | Win | 74–8–7 (3) | Otto McCall | RTD | 4 (10) | Sep 16, 1937 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
91 | Win | 73–8–7 (3) | Jack Rose | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 31, 1937 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
90 | Win | 72–8–7 (3) | Jesse Caldwell | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 24, 1937 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
89 | Win | 71–8–7 (3) | Jesse Caldwell | KO | 3 (10) | Jul 26, 1937 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
88 | NC | 70–8–7 (3) | Elmer Ray | NC | 6 (10) | Apr 20, 1937 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | Bout called off after Ray refused to continue from an accidental low blow |
87 | Win | 70–8–7 (2) | Elmer Ray | TKO | 6 (10) | Mar 25, 1937 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
86 | Draw | 69–8–7 (2) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1937 | Johnson Street Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
85 | Win | 69–8–6 (2) | Shorty Ahearn | PTS | 10 | Mar 15, 1937 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
84 | Win | 68–8–6 (2) | Jesse Caldwell | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 2, 1937 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
83 | Win | 67–8–6 (2) | Black Eagle | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 23, 1937 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
82 | Win | 66–8–6 (2) | Speedy Jackson | KO | 3 (10) | Feb 1, 1937 | Johnson Street Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
81 | Win | 65–8–6 (2) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Jan 26, 1937 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
80 | Draw | 64–8–6 (2) | Elmer Ray | PTS | 10 | Jan 19, 1937 | Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
79 | Loss | 64–8–5 (2) | Willie Reddish | PTS | 4 | Sep 22, 1936 | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
78 | Loss | 64–7–5 (2) | Jack London | PTS | 10 | Jun 15, 1936 | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, England | |
77 | Win | 64–6–5 (2) | Maurice Strickland | PTS | 10 | Feb 9, 1936 | The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, England | |
76 | Win | 63–6–5 (2) | Norman Baines | PTS | 12 | Jan 27, 1936 | Colston Hall, Bristol, England | |
75 | Win | 62–6–5 (2) | Don McCorkindale | PTS | 10 | Nov 11, 1935 | The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, England | |
74 | Win | 61–6–5 (2) | Gustave Limousin | KO | 5 (10) | Oct 5, 1935 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
73 | Loss | 60–6–5 (2) | Larry Gains | PTS | 15 | Jul 20, 1935 | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, England | Lost world colored heavyweight title |
72 | Win | 60–5–5 (2) | George Cook | PTS | 10 | May 8, 1935 | White City, England | |
71 | Win | 59–5–5 (2) | Rodolfo Valenti | TKO | 5 (8) | Mar 26, 1935 | Velodrome d'Hiver, Paris, France | |
70 | Win | 58–5–5 (2) | Albert Di Meglio | KO | 8 (10) | Mar 15, 1935 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
69 | Win | 57–5–5 (2) | Arthur Meurant | TKO | 1 (10), (0:45) | Feb 15, 1935 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
68 | Win | 56–5–5 (2) | Otto von Porat | UD | 10 | Nov 17, 1934 | Palais des Expositions, Geneva, Switzerland | |
67 | Loss | 55–5–5 (2) | Gustave Limousin | PTS | 8 | Oct 29, 1934 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
66 | Win | 55–4–5 (2) | Hans Schönrath | RTD | 5 (8) | Sep 13, 1934 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
65 | Win | 54–4–5 (2) | Emil Scholz | TKO | 1 (8) | Sep 3, 1934 | Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France | |
64 | Win | 53–4–5 (2) | Giuseppe Sanga | KO | 1 (8) | Jul 25, 1934 | Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France | |
63 | Win | 52–4–5 (2) | Italo Colonello | TKO | 2 (8) | Jul 11, 1934 | Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France | |
62 | Win | 51–4–5 (2) | Saverio Grizzo | TKO | 2 (10) | Jun 2, 1934 | Pavillon des Sports, Montreux, Switzerland | |
61 | Win | 50–4–5 (2) | Saverio Grizzo | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 7, 1934 | Palais des Expositions, Geneva, Switzerland | |
60 | Win | 49–4–5 (2) | Maurice Griselle | RTD | 7 (10) | Mar 2, 1934 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
59 | Win | 48–4–5 (2) | Casimir Beszterda | KO | 2 (10) | Feb 19, 1934 | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
58 | Win | 47–4–5 (2) | Louis Verbeeren | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 2, 1934 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
57 | Loss | 46–4–5 (2) | Don "Red" Barry | PTS | 10 | Nov 27, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Not to be confused with Don "Red" Barry |
56 | Win | 46–3–5 (2) | George Godfrey | PTS | 10 | Oct 9, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Won world colored heavyweight title |
55 | Win | 45–3–5 (2) | Salvatore Ruggirello | TKO | 3 (6) | Sep 27, 1933 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
54 | Win | 44–3–5 (2) | Humberto Arce | PTS | 6 | Sep 4, 1933 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
53 | Win | 43–3–5 (2) | Sailor Jack Vernon | KO | 1 (8) | Aug 22, 1933 | Shellpot Park, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. | |
52 | NC | 42–3–5 (2) | Humberto Arce | NC | 9 (10) | Aug 17, 1933 | Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | Fight stopped for "stalling" |
51 | Win | 42–3–5 (1) | Mickey Taylor | TKO | 2 (10) | Jul 20, 1933 | Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | |
50 | Win | 41–3–5 (1) | Leonard Dixon | TKO | 2 (6) | Jun 29, 1933 | Leiperville Arena, Leiperville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
49 | Win | 40–3–5 (1) | Tony Galento | PTS | 10 | Apr 17, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
48 | Win | 39–3–5 (1) | Meyer K.O. Christner | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 13, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
47 | Win | 38–3–5 (1) | Joe Doctor | KO | 2 (8) | Feb 13, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
46 | Win | 37–3–5 (1) | Larry Crabtree | TKO | 3 (6) | Jan 30, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
45 | Win | 36–3–5 (1) | Humberto Arce | PTS | 8 | Dec 12, 1932 | Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
44 | Win | 35–3–5 (1) | Frankie Simms | TKO | 6 (6) | Nov 4, 1932 | Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
43 | Win | 34–3–5 (1) | Red Tom | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 22, 1932 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
42 | Win | 33–3–5 (1) | Willie Bush | PTS | 12 | Jul 25, 1932 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
41 | Win | 32–3–5 (1) | Ed "Bearcat" Wright | PTS | 10 | Apr 15, 1932 | Legion Arena, Lake Worth, Florida, U.S. | |
40 | Win | 31–3–5 (1) | Tiger Henderson | KO | 5 (10) | Apr 12, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
39 | Draw | 30–3–5 (1) | Ed "Bearcat" Wright | PTS | 10 | Apr 5, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
38 | Win | 30–3–4 (1) | Ed "Bearcat" Wright | PTS | 10 | Mar 22, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
37 | Win | 29–3–4 (1) | Willie Bush | KO | 7 (10) | Mar 15, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
36 | Draw | 28–3–4 (1) | Willie Bush | PTS | 10 | Mar 2, 1932 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
35 | Win | 28–3–3 (1) | Tiger Henderson | KO | 8 (10) | Feb 26, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
34 | Win | 27–3–3 (1) | Big Boy Burlap | TKO | 6 (10) | Feb 17, 1932 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
33 | Win | 26–3–3 (1) | Big Boy Burlap | PTS | 8 | Jan 15, 1932 | Thames Arena, New London, Connecticut, U.S. | |
32 | Win | 25–3–3 (1) | Eddie Cox | KO | 1 (4), 2:17 | Dec 21, 1931 | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
31 | Win | 24–3–3 (1) | Ted Coolidge | TKO | 4 (8) | Nov 20, 1931 | Thames Arena, New London, Connecticut, U.S. | |
30 | Win | 23–3–3 (1) | K.O. Brown | KO | ? (10) | Sep 14, 1931 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
29 | Win | 22–3–3 (1) | Seldom Heard | KO | 3 (10) | Aug 31, 1931 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
28 | NC | 21–3–3 (1) | Willie McGee | NC | 7 (10) | Aug 12, 1931 | Benjamin Field Arena, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
27 | Win | 21–3–3 | Roy Clark | PTS | 10 | Jul 27, 1931 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
26 | Win | 20–3–3 | George Cheatham | KO | 1 (10) | Jul 20, 1931 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
25 | Draw | 19–3–3 | Willie Bush | PTS | 10 | Jun 22, 1931 | Roby's Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
24 | Win | 19–3–2 | Willie Bush | PTS | 10 | May 20, 1931 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
23 | Loss | 18–3–2 | Willie Bush | PTS | 10 | Apr 30, 1931 | Dixie Theatre, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
22 | Win | 18–2–2 | Al Walker | PTS | 10 | Apr 24, 1931 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
21 | Win | 17–2–2 | Al Walker | TKO | 7 (10) | Apr 9, 1931 | Tinker Field, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
20 | Win | 16–2–2 | Seldom Heard | KO | ? | Mar 26, 1931 | West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | Exact date unknown in March |
19 | Draw | 15–2–2 | Seldom Heard | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1931 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
18 | Win | 15–2–1 | Al Walker | PTS | 10 | Mar 11, 1931 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
17 | Win | 14–2–1 | Bob Lawson | PTS | 10 | Mar 6, 1931 | Legion Arena, Lake Worth, Florida, U.S. | |
16 | Win | 13–2–1 | Willie McGee | PTS | 10 | Feb 23, 1931 | Punch Bowl, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
15 | Loss | 12–2–1 | Willie Bush | DQ | 2 (10) | Feb 5, 1931 | Dixie Theatre, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | Walker DQ'd for hitting Bush after a knockdown |
14 | Win | 12–1–1 | Bob Lawson | PTS | 10 | Jan 28, 1931 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
13 | Draw | 11–1–1 | Bob Lawson | NWS | 10 | Dec 31, 1930 | Troy, Alabama, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 11–1 | Willie McGee | KO | 7 (10) | Dec 17, 1930 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 10–1 | Bob Lawson | NWS | 10 | Dec 8, 1930 | City Auditorium, Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 9–1 | Edward Winston Jr. | KO | 4 (10) | Nov 5, 1930 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
9 | Win | 8–1 | Speedy Freeman | RTD | 3 (6) | Jun 17, 1930 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 7–1 | Charlie King | KO | 6 (6) | May 23, 1930 | 81 Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
7 | Loss | 6–1 | Happy Hunter | PTS | 10 | Feb 3, 1930 | Atlanta Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Speedy Freeman | TKO | 2 (6) | Dec 27, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Battling Bell | KO | 3 (?) | Jul 1, 1929 | Roby's Gymnasium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Sam Jones | TKO | 1 (4) | Jun 7, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Battling Cornell | PTS | 4 | Apr 2, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Battling Cornell | TKO | 5 (6) | Mar 26, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Battling Cornell | PTS | 4 | Feb 15, 1929 | Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
Maximilian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling was a German boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938 were worldwide cultural events because of their national associations. Schmeling is the only boxer to win the world heavyweight championship on a foul.
Edward Patrick "Mickey" Walker was an American professional boxer who held both the world welterweight and world middleweight championships at different points in his career. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he was also an avid golfer and would later be recognized as a renowned artist. Walker is widely considered one of the greatest fighters ever, with ESPN ranking him 17th on their list of the 50 Greatest Boxers of All-Time and boxing historian Bert Sugar placing him 11th in his Top 100 Fighters catalogue. Statistical website BoxRec rates Walker as the 6th best middleweight ever, while The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer placed him at No. 4. The International Boxing Research Organization ranked Walker as the No. 4 middleweight and the No. 16 pound-for-pound fighter of all-time. Walker was inducted into the Ring magazine Hall of Fame in 1957 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a first-class member in 1990.
Samuel Edgar Langford was a Black Canadian boxing standout of the early part of the 20th century. Called the "Greatest Fighter Nobody Knows", by ESPN, Langford is considered by many boxing historians to be one of the greatest fighters of all time. Originally from Weymouth Falls, a small community in Nova Scotia, he was known as "the Boston Bonecrusher", "the Boston Terror", and his most famous nickname, "the Boston Tar Baby". Langford stood 5 ft 6+1⁄2 in (1.69 m) and weighed 185 lb (84 kg) in his prime. He fought from lightweight to heavyweight and defeated many world champions and legends of the time in each weight class. Considered a devastating puncher even at heavyweight, Langford was rated No. 2 by The Ring on their list of "100 greatest punchers of all time". One boxing historian described Langford as "experienced as a heavyweight James Toney with the punching power of Mike Tyson".
James Walter Braddock was an American boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937.
Jack Sharkey was a Lithuanian-American boxer who held the NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles from 1932 to 1933.
Harry Wills was a heavyweight boxer who held the World Colored Heavyweight Championship three times. Many boxing historians consider Wills the most egregious victim of the "color line" drawn by white heavyweight champions. Wills fought for over twenty years (1911–1932), and was ranked as the number one challenger for the throne, but was denied the opportunity to fight for the title. Of all the black contenders between the heavyweight championship reigns of Jack Johnson and Joe Louis, Wills came closest to securing a title shot. BoxRec ranks him among 10 best heavyweights in the world from 1913 to 1924, and as No.1 heavyweight from 1915 to 1917.
George Godfrey (II) The Leiperville Shadow was the ring name of Feab Smith Williams, a heavyweight boxer from the state of Alabama who fought from 1919 to 1937. He named himself after George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey, a Black Canadian boxer from the bare-knuckle boxing days who had been a top name during the John L. Sullivan era. Old Chocolate had been the fourth fighter to reign as World Colored Heavyweight Champion while the second George Godfrey was the 20th fighter to hold the colored heavyweight title.
Sam McVey or Sam McVea was a Hall of Fame heavyweight boxer who fought during the early 20th century. Known as the Oxnard Cyclone, he ranked alongside Jack Johnson, Joe Jeanette, Sam Langford, and Harry Wills as the top black heavyweights of their generation. All of them, except Johnson, were denied a shot at the world heavyweight championship due to the color bar, which ironically was maintained by Johnson when he became the first black fighter to win the world heavyweight title. Despite being denied a title shot, McVea enjoyed a famed career that took him across the globe.
The World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a title awarded to black boxers in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This was the only recognized heavyweight championship available to black boxers prior to Jack Johnson winning the world heavyweight title in 1908. The title continued to exist until the reign of Joe Louis as universally recognized champ, as the color bar against black heavyweights was enforced during and for a generation after Jack Johnson's reign as world champ.
Kid Norfolk was an American professional boxer who fought as a Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight from 1910 through 1926, holding wins over many notable boxers of his day including Joe Jeanette, Billy Miske, Jack Blackburn, Harry Greb, Tiger Flowers, Battling Siki, and Gunboat Smith. Norfolk was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007.
"Battling" Jim Johnson was an American boxer who fought as a heavyweight from 1908 to 1918. He had little success and lost with great frequency to top boxers such as Sam Langford, Joe Jeanette, Sam McVey, Harry Wills and Kid Norfolk.
Bob Armstrong, was a heavyweight boxer known as the "King of the Battle Royal". He was born in Rogersville, Tennessee, but he moved with his family to Washington, Ohio when he was three years old.
Big Bill Tate was an American boxer who fought from 1912 to 1927. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, he spent his fighting career based in Chicago. Tate was a regular sparring partner of heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, yet Dempsey denied him a shot at the title.
Frank Childs, "The Crafty Texan", was an African American boxer who fought professionally out of Chicago from 1892 to 1911 and twice held the World Colored Heavyweight Championship. Fighting at a weight of between 160 and 185 lbs., the short, stocky Childs fought middleweights, light-heavyweights and heavyweights. He had a powerful punch.
Edward "Denver Ed" Martin was an American boxer who was the World Colored Heavyweight Champion from February 24, 1902, when he beat Frank Childs, until February 5, 1903, when he lost his title to Jack Johnson, the only Colored Heavyweight Champion to win the world's heavyweight championship.
C.C. Smith, a.k.a. Charles C. Smith, Charles A.C. Smith, and Charlie Smith, was an African American boxer who claimed the status of being the World Colored Heavyweight Champ and was the first boxer recognized as such.
George Byers was a Canadian boxer who won the World Colored Middleweight Championship in 1897 and held the World Colored Heavyweight Championship from September 14, 1898, to March 16, 1901, a reign of 913 days. The 5′ 8½″ fought out of Boston from 1895 to 1904 at a weight of between 120 and 165 lbs., in many weight classes and frequently against men that were much larger than himself. On 9 December 1897 in Waterbury, Connecticut, he faced Harry Peppers in a title match for the World Colored Middleweight Championship. Byers knocked out the undefeated Peppers, the Pacific Coast Middleweight Champion of the Pacific Coast in the 19th round of a 20-round contest. He took up US citizenship in 1917
Klondike Haynes was an African American boxer billed as "The Black Hercules" who declared himself the black heavyweight champion. Born John Haines or John W. Haynes, the 6-foot (1.8 m) tall Klondike fought out of Chicago as a heavyweight at a weight of 190–200 pounds (86–91 kg) from 1898 to 1911. He took the nickname because he was supposed to be a great find.
Larry Estridge was a middleweight boxer and the last holder of the World Colored Middleweight Championship. The 5'7" middleweight fought out of New York City from 1922 to 1929, racking up a career record of 53 wins against 23 losses and two draws from 1922 to 1929.
Young Peter Jackson was an African American boxer active from 1929 to 1939. Born Peter Martin in Los Angeles, California, he renamed himself in honor of the great colored heavyweight champ Peter Jackson and the welterweight contender Peter Jackson. The 5'7" Jackson fought as a lightweight, making his professional debut on August 14, 1929 at the Wilmington Bowl in Wilmington, California, when he knocked out Herb Yales via a knock out in the first round of a scheduled four-round bout.